Proving a Progressive Stamping Die on Your Own Sheet Metal
A buyer's guide to planning a die demonstration around the buyer's actual sheet metal and custom part design, with practical questions for the RFQ, trial run, and acceptance test.
Ask the die supplier to run your own sheet metal through the proposed progressive stamping die before you approve the tool. Because the die is built to a custom part design, a demonstration on the supplier's stock material tells you little about how your sheet will behave in forming.
In the RFQ, state the exact sheet metal grade, thickness, and temper you intend to run, and ask whether the demonstration will use that material or an equivalent. Request a sample quantity large enough to show progressive stations, strip feed, and part-to-part consistency. Ask how the supplier will document the trial: which dimensions from your custom part design will be measured, on how many parts, and with what gauging. If your production will use more than one material or thickness, ask whether the same die can accommodate it or whether changes are needed.
During the demonstration, watch strip alignment, scrap removal, and whether formed features match your drawing. For acceptance, agree in advance on the sample size, the measured characteristics, and the pass criteria.
Before requesting a quote, confirm with the supplier which material will be used in the trial, how deviations from your custom part design will be reported, and what the supplier needs from you to schedule a demonstration on your workpiece.